MLB Rumors

Braves reliever Alex Wood should be back in the bullpen by the start of a weekend series against the Brewers, after he was needed to throw 73 pitches in a start Tuesday. Manager Fredi Gonzalez told MLB.com Wood could be available to pitch in relief as early as the series opener.

"We're shooting for him to be available by Friday at the earliest," Gonzalez said. "He threw a lot of pitches in three innings."

Wood was bothered by a cuticle tear on his index finger in the outing, but that is not expected to bother him by he time he returns to the bullpen. 

Giants closer Sergio Romo saved his second game in as many days Wednesday, as he closed out a 4-2 win over the Padres.

Romo returns San Diego on just 12 pitches, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth. He is now 18 for 21 in save situations, with a 2.54 ERA on the season.

Padres first baseman Jesus Guzman homered for the second game in a row Wednesday, a solo shot in a 4-2 loss to the Giants.

Guzman finished the game 1 for 3 with a walk and a strikeout. He is batting .237 on the season with three home runs in 114 at-bats.  

Padres starting pitcher Eric Stults could not quite live up to his complete game in his follow-up start Wednesday, but he still pitched well in a no-decision against the Giants.

Stults tossed his fifth quality start in a row in the game, though it was his first time failing to finish the seventh inning in that stretch. He allowed just two runs in 6 1/3 innings of work, but was pulled after allowing a one-out single in the seventh inning. That runner came around to score, blowing a 2-1 Padres lead and leaving Stulted with a no-decision.

Stults allowed seven hits and two walks in the game, while striking out three batters on 105 pitches. He is now 6-5 on the season with a 3.25 ERA through 15 starts. He is expected to make his next start Monday against the Phillies. 

Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen gave up a hit in the ninth Wednesday but notched a save against the Rockies. Janssen earned his 16th save as he needed 16 pitches to complete his inning. 

Janssen lowered his ERA to 2.28 with the save, his fourth in his last four outings. He's been sharp since allowing two runs in his first blown save back on June 8 against Texas. 

Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner tossed another quality start Wednesday against the Padres, his second in a row, in a 4-2 win.

Bumgarner limited the Padres to just three hits, though he did walk four batters, his highest total in four starts. He also allowed two runs in the game, both on solo home runs. Bumgarner struck out eight in seven innings, for his third win in a row.

Bumgarner threw 66 of 111 pitches for strikes, while lowering his ERA to 3.25 on the season. Bumgarner is now 7-4 heading into his next start, Monday at the Dodgers. 

Marlins outfielder Justin Ruggiano started in the leadoff spot for the first time in his career Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, and he came up big late.

Ruggiano hit his ninth home run of the season to open the ninth inning, as the Marlins tried to battle back from a three-run deficit. Ruggiano finished the game 2 for 4 with one RBI and one run scored, in a 3-1 loss.

Ruggiano is hitting .229 on the season, with a .702 OPS. He has nine home runs and eight stolen bases, while driving in 25 runs. 

Diamondbacks closer Heath Bell continued to struggle Wednesday with the Marlins, the team that traded him in the offseason following a disastrous one-year stint.

Bell allowed a leadoff homer to Justin Ruggiano to open the ninth, and put the tying run on base when he walked Giancarlo Stanton with no out.

He was able to work out of the jam with three straight outs, however, recording his 13th save in 15 tries, in a 3-1 win. Bell allowed a game-winning home run in the teams' first game Monday. He now has a 4.40 ERA on the season, and has allowed one home run in each of the last fur outings. 

Twins outfielder Josh Willingham will play through a bothersome left knee but will remain at designated hitter until it feels a little better, MLB.com reports Wednesday. 

Willingham was a little sore after playing in Tuesday's game. He had a cortisone shot Saturday and missed Saturday and Sunday's games. 

"It's not perfect right now -- I can tell you that," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We'll see how this DH thing goes, but it wasn't a great night last night as far as him running around on his leg. So I'm a little concerned."